Signal device for motor-vehicles



J. M. RICE.

SIGNAL DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES. APPLICATlON man usc.12. 1918.

1,340,292. Patented May 18, 1920.

14 @Eborneg.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. j

JOSEPH M. RICE, OF MISSOULA, MONTANA.

SIGNAL DEVICE FOR MOTOR-VEHICLES.

1,340,292. Specification of Letters Patent Patented May 18, 19.20.

Application filed December 12, 1918. Serial No. 266,415.

'1 b all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrrr M. RICE, a

citizen of the United States, residing at such tension that a light touch on the control lever restores the signal arm to its pendent position.

Missoula, in the county of Missoula and j The signal arm 4 is pivotally mounted in 60 5 State of Montana, have invented certain the housing 1, depending therefrom in its new and useful Improvements in Signal Denormal or inoperative position, and is arvices for Motor-Vehicles, of which the folranged to swing in a vertical plane to a horilowing is a specification. zontal position, the horizontal position being This invention relates to a signal device the signaling or operative position. 65 for motor vehicles and is designed to be Between the signal arm 4 and the control easily applied to the upholstered arm of lever 2, and connecting the two pivotally, a motor vehicle seat in such a position as .are connecting links 5 and a bell crank 5*. not to interfere with the arrangement of the The bell crank 5 is pivoted to the housing side curtains, and to be easily accessible for 1, as is the control lever 2 and the signal 70 operation. This invention is also designed arm 4, and the connecting links are pivoted to be operable by the forearm of the driver in turn to the .control lever, bell crank and without disturbing the position of the driv signal arm, thus forming, a connecting ers hands upon the controlling mechanism means within the housing and pivotally conof the car. necting the control lever and the signal arm. 75 The object of the invention is to provide a As connecting links and bell cranks are old signaling device that is readily operable in the art and as other means may be adoptfrom the inside of the car, that may be ed that will perform the same function, it easily attached to any car, and which will detailed description of the connecting links operate as a signal to vehicles and pedesis deemed unnecessary. v 80 trians. Above the housing, at the inner end there- Vith this and other objects in view, referof, and attached thereto, is a guard plate 6. ence is had to the accompanyingdrawings, This guard plate is curved to protect the in which control lever and extends downward, join- Figure 1 is a side elevation with one side ing with the jaw of the clamping means. 85 removed; Besides protecting the control lever it is Fig. 2 is a rear elevation; and made broad to protect the sleeve of the Fig. 3 is a plan view; driver against injury. In thedrawing 1 represents the housing A slot 7 is cut in the top of the guard which contains the moving parts consisting plate to receive the control lever, and in 90 of the control lever 2, a spring clip 3, a this slot is cut notches 8, preferably two in signal arm 4, connecting links 5, bell crank number, to register with the above described 5 guard plate 6 in which is a slot 7 in which spring clip 3. are notches 8, and a clamping means 9. Fig. A clamping means is provided, consisting 1 shows the device clamped to a fragment of the usual thumbscrew 9 and the broad jaw 95 40 of a motor vehicle 10. 9, which rests against the uphostering of The housing 1 is preferably made of sheet the arm of the seat, while the thumbscrew metal, stamped to shape, and assembled in is screwed against the side of the car, thus any suitable manner. The housing is curved attaching the device rigidly to the car. That so that it projects outward and downward the thumbscrew 9 may be protected from 100 about the clamp, thus protecting the clamp accidental loosening, the housing is extended from accidental loosening. over the thumbscrew, thus protecting the The control lever 2 is pivoted at 2* to the clamping means. housing and is operated. by a lateral thrust In use the device is clamped to the seat either from the forearm or elbow, and is in arm or side of the vehicle near the driver 105 such a position with respect to the curtains of the car, with the control lever pointing that they cannot interfere with its operainward and'the signal arm pendant. Now, tion. should another car be approaching from the The spring clip 3, attached to the control rear or from in front, and the driver of the lever, engages notches in the guard plate to car carrying the signal device desires to 110 be hereinafter explained, and holds the control lever in its signaling position with change direction, with his hands still on the wheel he presses his elbow or forearm signal.

While I have described in detail the construction, location and use of this signal device, I Wish it understoodv that modifications may be resorted to within the scope of the invention and Without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having thus, described my invention, I claim 1. In a signal device for motor vehicles, a curved housing, a laterally operating control lever pivotally mounted in the housing, a

signal arm pivotally and. operably mounted in the housing and normally depending therefrom, connecting links contained Within the housing and pivotally connecting the control lever and the signal arm, a guard plate attached to the housing and slotted to accommodate the control lever, and a lamping means guarded by the housing.

2. In a signal device for motor vehicles, a curved housing, a laterally operating control lever pivotally mounted in the housing, a spring clip attached to the control lever, a signal arm pivotally mounted in the housing and normally depending therefrom, said arm being arranged to operate in a vertical plane to a horizontal position, connecting means contained Within the housing and pivotally connecting the control lever and the signal arm, a guard plate attached to the housing and slotted to accommodate the control lever, said slot having notches to register with the above mentioned. spring clip, and a clamping means attached to and guarded by the curved housing. In testimony whereof I have atiixed my signature.

JosErH M. RICE. 

